Lead Cybersecurity Advisor
From the airfield
to the SOC.
My path into cybersecurity started in airport operations, where safety protocols, incident response, and split-second decisions aren’t optional. Today I lead security for a managed security provider serving community banks and regulated financial institutions, with an operations-first approach that turns into real risk reduction.
01 · Pre-flight briefing
Meet Mason in five minutes
▶
Your 4–5 minute “about me” video goes here.
See the comment in index.html for embed options
5,000+Workstations under threat hunting and monitoring
15+Client organizations on monthly security health checks
3 airportsPart 139 airfield operations in ND, OR, and AL
02 · Flight log
Experience
Every leg of the route, most recent first.
-
CRUISE
Jan 2026 – Present
Lead Cybersecurity Advisor
ImageQuest LLC · Remote
- Senior advisor to client organizations, including regulated financial institutions, translating technical risk into business-level guidance for IT and executive leadership.
- Lead Microsoft 365 hardening across Entra ID, Defender, Purview, and Intune.
- Run monthly security health checks for 15+ client companies covering IAM, device compliance, patching, role changes, and security awareness training.
- Lead and mentor a team of SecOps Engineers and Analysts.
- Advise clients on AI governance and risk, including AI DLP, enterprise AI tool structure, and AI program review.
-
CLIMB
Jan 2025 – Jan 2026
SecOps Team Lead
ImageQuest LLC
- Directed threat hunting and monitoring across 5,000+ workstations, leading investigations through to remediation.
- Oversaw incident response for network traversal, malware, ransomware, and email compromise.
- Rolled out application whitelisting and default-deny (Zero Trust) architecture as a standard client baseline.
- Led cloud security initiatives, including vendor/app management policy and SIEM API integrations.
-
CLIMB
Aug 2022 – Jan 2025
SecOps Engineer
ImageQuest LLC
- Investigated every alert, from network traversal and malware (e.g., Gootloader) to ransomware and business email compromise.
- Configured network security architecture: IDS/IDPS, firewalls, access control, switches, and access points.
- Supported ImageQuest’s SOC 2 compliance through monthly reporting, documentation, and asset destruction processes.
- Wrote PowerShell scripts for remediation at scale; developed and led security awareness training.
-
DEPART
Oct 2020 – Aug 2022
IT Support Specialist II → Field Support → Lead Client Support Specialist
ImageQuest LLC · Nashville, TN
- Promoted twice in under two years, from remote support to leading Field Technicians, Dispatchers, and Onboarding/Offboarding Specialists.
- Created New User, New Device, and Termination documentation for 50+ clients.
- Built the Hard Drive Destruction Plan supporting SOC 2 compliance.
-
TAXI
Apr 2020 – Aug 2020
Service Desk Analyst
HCTec · Remote
- Supported clinicians and patients on telehealth platforms and EMR systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
PRIOR
Jul 2016 – Feb 2020
Airport Operations: Officer → Supervisor → Duty Officer → Airfield Operations Specialist
Williston, ND · Eugene Airport, OR · Mobile Airport Authority, AL
- Daily safety and security inspections for compliance with 14 CFR Part 139, Part 77, and TSR 1542.
- Planned and ran a Triennial Full-Scale Emergency Exercise with 10+ organizations, including the after-action review.
- Served as Airport Security Coordinator, working directly with TSA on access control and identification compliance.
- Trained in Incident Command and ARFF response; led and developed Airport Operations Officers.
- Maintained the Airport Certification Manual, Airport Emergency Plan, and Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
-
ORIGIN
2016
B.S., Aerospace Administration
Middle Tennessee State University
- Founding member, MTSU Future Airport Executives.
- Intern, Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (KMBT).
03 · Instrument panel
What I work with
Detection & Response
Risk & Compliance
Zero Trust & Infrastructure
Automation & AI Governance
Leadership & Operations
04 · Type ratings